Peter Gers, 94, funeral director in E. Oak Lane

Peter H. Gers, 94, of Ambler, a longtime funeral director who was present at the 1962 canonical inspection of Bishop John Neumann's remains prior to the future saint's beatification, has died.

Mr. Gers died at Dock Terrace in Lansdale on Saturday, May 30, due to complications from a fall.

He first worked for the Harold B. Mulligan Funeral Home in Philadelphia. In 1947, he opened his own funeral parlor in Olney, and then moved to East Oak Lane.

Mr. Gers sold the property in 1989 and moved to Ambler, taking a job as a funeral director at the Anton B. Urban Funeral Home.

He and his family were founding members of St. Joseph's Parish in Cheltenham, where he was active in the Holy Name Society, Catholic War Veterans, and Knights of Columbus.

A pinnacle of Mr. Gers' life came when he was asked to assist with the removal of Neumann's remains from a tomb in St. Peter's Church. The move was part of a ritual inspection prior to Neumann's beatification. Neumann was canonized as a saint in 1977.

Mr. Gers wrote the following account, which has been edited for space:

"On Thursday morning, Nov. 8, 1962, at 11:30 a.m., I arrived with another Funeral Director, Mr. R. Roach, at St. Peter's Church, 5th Street and Girard Avenue. After identification, we were permitted to enter the Chapel where Bishop Neumann was entombed. There were 50 clergy, eight men from Holy Cross Cemetery, two superintendents, several men from Travis Ceramic Tile Company, a photographer, and several others.

"We heard the noise of a pneumatic drill and quite a bit of hammering, which was caused by the men who were removing the marble slab from over the tomb. The slab was raised first at one end and then at the other. ... A moving scaffold was placed over the tomb area and a sling was placed under the slab, exposing the metal case in which Bishop Neumann's casket rested. ...

"... Then men from the cemetery slid straps under the case and raised it to the sanctuary floor on the right side of the tomb. The case had a red ribbon crossed over the upper end which had the seal of Archbishop Ryan. ...

"... After lunch we returned to the chapel and were all anxious to see inside the case once the lid was removed. ...

"... His remains were well preserved and many of his vestments were easily recognized. ... The Bishop was then raised from the metal case by lifting the base of the casket and his remains together. This was the part where my own participation began. ... We placed the base of the casket with the Bishop on a low table and then his vestments were intensely studied. ... It was quite evident he had been buried in green vestments. These vestments were then removed and wrapped in a white cloth and placed in a metal container. ... We removed his gloves, Episcopal ring and pectoral cross. ...

"... When the vestments were completely removed, two surgeons were given a microphone and made detailed clinical comments on the condition of the Bishop's body and limbs. Then, what would be equivalent of 2 pounds of bone were removed and placed on papers which were marked as to where they had been removed. These were washed and placed in small linen packets which were tied with satin and sealed. They were placed in a chest similar to a silver chest lined with satin. I was told this will be sent on to Rome.

"We then dressed the Bishop's remains in new vestments. It was then announced that if any of the priests present desired to touch the Bishop's remains that they could do so at this time. The Bishop now being completely clothed with the exception of his Miter, they would naturally have to touch his head. It was my privilege to be in such a position to his remains that his head was resting in my left hand.

"His remains were now placed in a new casket and reinterred only a few feet from the place where the Bishop was buried more than a century ago. The Sanctuary floor was completely reset, the original marble slab was put back and the tile reset. The entire procedure took approximately six hours. - Peter H. Gers."

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Gers was a graduate of Doland Embalming School in Philadelphia and received his funeral director license in 1944. He served as a sergeant in the Army during World War II. He loved riding horses and did so through his 80s.

His wife, Elizabeth "Bettye" Quinn Gers, died in 2013.

He is survived by sons Peter H. Jr., Joseph A., and Thomas E.; daughters Donna G. Turk and Suzanne E. Miller; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A visitation from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 259 Forest Ave., Ambler, will be followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Interment is in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Medical Mission Sisters, 8400 Pine Rd. Philadelphia 19111, or to CARES Foundation, 2414 Morris Ave., Suite 110, Union, N.J. 07083.